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How to Choose Oolong Tea
10 Best Oolong Teas to Try in 2025: A Beginner’s Guide to Flavor & Regions
10 Best Oolong Teas to Try in 2025: A Beginner’s Guide to Flavor & Regions
Oolong tea can feel a little intimidating at first—so many names, so many styles! If you’ve ever asked yourself:
“Which Oolong should I try first?”
“Where do I even begin?”
Don't worry—we’ve got you. At iTeaworld, we've picked 10 beginner-friendly Oolongs that are easy to love and perfect for getting to know this fascinating category of tea.
Here’s a quick tour of where (and why) to start:
1. Oriental Beauty (东方美人)– The Oolong That Feels Like Fine Black Tea
If you’re a fan of black tea and want something floral, sweet, and elegant, Oriental Beauty is the perfect place to start.
There’s even a legend that Queen Victoria (or Queen Elizabeth) once tasted it and exclaimed,“It’s like an oriental beauty.”
True or not, the name stuck—and so did its charm. With its honeyed aroma and beautiful golden leaves, it’s one of the most refined oolongs out there.
2. Jasmine Oolong & Osmanthus Oolong – For Floral Tea Lovers
If you like the gentle perfume of jasmine green tea, you’ll love these floral oolongs.
Both are made by scenting real flowers with tea leaves, creating a delicate, fragrant cup that’s especially approachable for beginners. Think of it as the floral tea you already enjoy—just with a smooth oolong twist.
3. Tie Guan Yin (Anxi Oolong) – Light vs. Roasty
Tie Guan Yin comes in two classic styles:
● Light & green (Qing Oolong) – floral, creamy, and refreshing
● Dark & roasted (Nong Xiang) – nutty, toasty, and full-bodied
They’re some of the most common Oolongs you'll find abroad and great for discovering your personal taste.
4. Phoenix Dancong (Honey Orchid & Duck Sh*t Aroma) – China’s Fragrant Favorites
Don’t let the name fool you—Duck Sh*t Aroma is one of the most beloved oolongs in China!
Both this and Honey Orchid Dancong are like natural perfume in a cup—intensely floral, sweet, and unforgettable.
Young tea drinkers in China love them, and if you’re new to oolong, these teas often surprise and delight first-timers abroad too.
5. Wuyi Rock Tea (Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, Shui Xian) – Bold & Roasty
Ready to explore the deeper, bolder side of oolong?
These three teas from the Wuyi Mountains—Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, and Shui Xian—are skillfully roasted, revealing complex layers of spice, stone fruit, and mineral depth. They represent some of the finest craftsmanship in Chinese oolong and are ideal for discovering the richer end of the flavor spectrum.
Da Hong Pao is typically a blend of different Wuyi teas, and each brand’s version varies slightly in taste. It’s rich, aromatic, and a great entry point for beginners.
Rou Gui offers a bold, spicy profile with a natural cinnamon-like aroma—perfect for those who enjoy stronger, more intense flavors.
Shui Xian is smooth and mellow, with floral notes and a deep roast. Its soft, comforting character makes it especially approachable for first-time Wuyi tea drinkers.
Want to try all 10 of these iconic oolong teas?
We’ve made it easy with the iTeaworld Oolong Tasting Collection—a curated set featuring all ten teas in convenient mini-pack format.
Perfect for beginners who want to explore the full range of oolong flavors—from floral to roasted—without committing to large quantities.
Why these 10 teas? There’s a reason behind our picks.
We didn’t randomly pick these 10 oolong teas—there’s a method behind the magic.
First, we believe beginners should start by tasting the most iconic flavor styles of oolong.
● That’s the only way to truly figure out what you like! Oolong flavor can actually be mapped—most of it comes down to two key things:Oxidation level (how much the tea is allowed to "breathe" during processing)
● Roasting level (how much heat is applied after drying)
At iTeaworld, we’ve created a simple Oolong Flavor Map that shows how these two factors affect taste. The 10 teas we chose cover different points on that map—from light and floral to rich and roasted—so you can sip your way to clarity.
Second, great oolong comes from four main regions in China and Taiwan.
● These 10 teas also give you a taste of all four:Anxi in Fujian (Tie Guan Yin)
● Wuyi Mountains (Rock Oolong)
● Phoenix Mountains in Guangdong (Dancong)
● Taiwan (Oriental Beauty)
This way, you’re not only tasting different styles—you’re also learning what makes each region unique, making it easier to explore further based on your personal taste.
What makes this set special:
Our Oolong Discovery Tasting Set includes 10 carefully selected teas from China’s top regions, made for beginners who want to sip, compare, and truly understand oolong tea.
✅ 10 iconic oolong teas with distinct styles
From floral to roasted, from light to bold—covering all the basics.
✅ Covers all 4 core regions
Fujian (Anxi & Wuyi), Guangdong (Phoenix), and Taiwan-style oolongs.
✅ 10g per tea—just enough to try without wasting
Each mini brick makes 1–2 perfect brews. Easy to use, no mess.
✅ Authentically crafted, 2024 harvest, full-leaf only
Sourced from origin, made by tea masters with 20–30 years of experience.
✅ Comes with clear flavor notes and steeping tips
So you know what you’re drinking—and how to enjoy it best.
How to Brew Oolong Tea with a Gaiwan (Beginner-Friendly)
Brewing oolong tea with a gaiwan isn’t complicated, even for beginners. Here are the basic guidelines:
● Water temperature: 95–100°C (203–212°F)
● Tea-to-water ratio: 5g of tea per 100ml of water
● Steeping time:
○ First 1–3 infusions: 10–15 seconds
○ For each following infusion: add 5–7 seconds
○ Typically good for 7–10 infusions
This method brings out the full flavor and aroma of oolong tea while staying easy to manage.
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